Palin to visit Centre overflow

Early VIP reception also added to lineup

Big donors, VIPs and those who could afford to shell out for corporate sponsorships won't be the only ones who will see Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the flesh at Thursday's Vanderburgh County Right to Life spring banquet.

The folks in the cheap seats will be able to see Palin in person, too.

TICKETS

<IF YOU GO>Tickets for the broadcast feed of Vanderburgh County Right to Life's 2009 Spring Banquet are on sale for $16 each at The Centre's box office, other Ticketmaster outlets and at Vanderburgh County Right to Life offices in Evansville.

Right to Life can be reached at (812) 474-3195.</IF YOU GO>

Right to Life officials announced Thursday that, in addition to speaking to a sold-out crowd of 2,180 during the 6 p.m. banquet in The Centre's Bill Brooks Exhibition Hall, Palin will appear before people paying $16 per ticket to watch a live broadcast feed in the building's auditorium.

Right to Life officials had been working for weeks to confirm Palin's appearance in the auditorium with theater seating, where 564 of an available 2,500 tickets have been sold.

Palin, the Republican Party's 2008 nominee for vice president and a possible 2012 presidential candidate, will be accompanied by her husband, Todd Palin, and the couple's baby son, Trig.

Right to Life Executive Director Mary Ellen Van Dyke said Palin's appearance in the auditorium "makes this event extra special."

"There's a chance — I can't say it will happen — but there's a chance maybe she's bringing her husband and baby on stage with her," Van Dyke said. "We would certainly be delighted if that happened."

Van Dyke acknowledged Right to Life officials hope Palin's appearance in the auditorium will boost ticket sales for the live broadcast feed.

The organization announced the extra gathering when they learned Palin would join keynote speaker Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, at the sold-out banquet.

Live feed prices were announced at $16 to $26, but Van Dyke said the higher prices were dropped immediately.

Officials of SMG Inc., the management firm that runs The Centre for Vanderburgh County, said the screen for the live feed probably will be 9 feet by 12 feet, the same size as a screen that will be above the stage at the banquet.

For the first time, Van Dyke confirmed Palin also will attend a 5 p.m. pre-banquet VIP reception in The Centre's Grand Tier Lounge.

"We're very excited as this whole event starts to come together, but we are committed to our mission of protecting life," she said.